Analogy

/əˈnælədʒi/

Meaning & Definition

noun

A comparison between two things, typically for the purpose of explanation or clarification.

The teacher used an analogy to help the students understand the concept of electricity by comparing it to water flowing through pipes.

A correspondence or similarity between two different things.

The analogy between the structure of an atom and the solar system helped the students visualize atomic theory.

The process of drawing a comparison between two different things.

In her speech, she made an analogy between the struggles of athletes and the challenges faced in everyday life.

A linguistic comparison that can apply to various fields, such as logic, science, and literature.

The poet used an analogy to create vivid imagery and deepen the emotional impact of the poem.

From Greek analogia meaning 'proportion, correspondence'.

make an analogy

to draw a comparison between two different things.

analogy of life

a comparison that illustrates aspects of life.

draw an analogy

to create a comparison to explain a point.

metaphor

A figure of speech that describes an object or action in a way that isn't literally true.

simile

A figure of speech comparing two unlike things, often introduced by 'like' or 'as'.

correlation

A mutual relationship or connection between two or more things.

A playful comparison between everyday situations.

That was a real analogy moment when she said working from home is like being on vacation.

Using comparisons in a trivial way.

His analogies are getting so overused they feel more like a cliché.